Conrad Dubai ★★★★★

From the historic souks winding through the streets to the behemoth malls packed with high-end designers, Dubai is unparallelled as a shopping destination. And yet, even the most devoted shoppers could scour the streets of Dubai, from Fajr to Isha, and still never find themselves a parcel as perfectly formed as the Conrad Dubai *****.

There’s just as much attention to detail in the wrapping of the hotel as in the present inside: the grandeur of onyx walls and geometric design complemented by the warmth of the bright bursts of flowers, plush bedding and sofas you sink into as easily as you do life in the hotel.

Peeling back the layers inside is almost a game of pass the parcel. First, a sophisticated afternoon tea in the lobby is revealed, then Vesna, and its contemporary Eastern European cuisine, and, finally, the indulgent Italian fare at Ballarò. At the heart of the hotel, the biggest surprise is revealed: a magnificent outdoor swimming pool where the warm blue waters are nestled within lush tropical gardens. Somehow, inside a sky scraper city establishment, the hoteliers have managed to fit an ocean escape.

Frankly, when a hotel is already this relaxing, a day at the spa is an unnecessary indulgence – but Dubai has made its name through indulgence, and at the Conrad Spa, it is the bow of the top of the package. Eight well-equipped treatment rooms open up to reveal an extensive array of massages and treatments, alongside the Hammam and relaxation pools.

So treat yourself – a stay at the Conrad Dubai ***** is a gift you deserve this year.